Christmas Fiesta

Tired of all this color yet? This is the third and final installment of my multi-color Christmas posts for this year. The first two, “Merry & Bright Multi-Color Christmas”and “Kaleidoscope Christmas – Multi-Color Kids’ Tablescape”, shared some of the same elements but in very different ways. Today’s offering does the same, returning to the basic red tablecloth and “wispy multi-color jingle bell thingies” that bring the room to life.(Click on any photo and then click again to enlarge/enhance it and see more detail.)

The winter months always start up my cravings for traditional Mexican food. Maybe because it’s my go-to comfort food…so spicy and tummy-warming. Maybe because we have happily indulged in the traditional tamales and arroz con leche of the Christmas season for decades.

With the multi-colored tree, the multi-colored inspiration pieces, and these fun “Serape” plates from Tuesday Morning in the cupboard, I knew I had one more opportunity to create a fun and inviting Christmas tablescape. These dishes were also used HEREand HERE.

For a twist on the traditional green of Christmas, I opted to use a Bed, Bath & Beyond lime green napkin. Black “San Remo” stainless flatware from Hampton Silversmiths lends a little formality to the setting. The ruby red stemware is from Pier 1.

The miniature sombreros at each place setting are embellished with colorful glass ornaments and a sprig of Christmas-y greenery. The colorful bamboo runner (also seen HEREfor a tropical tablescape) works well with the theme and helps to pull the elements of the centerpiece together.

I wanted the centerpiece to be kind of full and dramatic and reflective of the season, but I also felt the need to bring in other elements that would work with the Mexican theme. I started with 3 red hurricane sleeves from Old Time Pottery. Snow-flecked evergreens and the “multi-color jingly thingies” were added to the mix. The arrangement was topped off with various succulents.

The buffet borrows the same citrus green vases (Home Goods) used on the table for the kids’ “Kaleidoscope Christmas” setting. Rather than filling them with the just the jingly pieces, I opted to mix it up with snow-frosted evergreens and a single succulent. Another bamboo runner pulls together all of the buffet elements including a serving trays and a bowl of ornaments. More of the frosted greenery is brought down to the buffet level, front & center.

The vintage tea cart is still decked out with the colorful flurry of ribbon from “Kaleidoscope Christmas” and Bennington the Butler still holds onto the jingle bell candy cane. Candy from last week’s post has been transferred into “Serape” bowls and cookies onto a plate.

Geoffrey, standing ready to serve by the Christmas tree, now offers a trio dish of colorful gumballs. Notice the tree is now teeming with sprigs of the jingly bling found in the centerpiece and buffet vases, a change from the last 2 weeks.

The colorful mercury glass-lined votive holders (World Market) used first on the buffet for “Merry & Bright” and then on the china cabinet with fun glass ornaments rather than candles for “Kaleidoscope Christmas” are back once again with candles and surrounded by greenery and jingly bling.

So there you have it! Elements carried from one tablescape to another with very different results each time out. Proof positive that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, even if the old dog is jingly bling! 🙂

I’m joining Cuisine Kathleen for her blog party, “Let’s Dish!”, this Wednesday after 6:00 p.m. CST and Susan for “Tablescape Thursday” after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. This will be one of your last chances to get some ideas for holiday decorating from lots of talented and enthusiastic decorators all around the world, so join me, won’t you?

My name is all over this Fiesta! Absolutely love the color “red”. I agree with Christine, flatware really adds that extra touch I need to expand everything. This is so creative as always. Great inspiration!

Awesome! I love how you’ve used the same color scheme for all three tables. It makes a great example of how you can reuse things and get a whole new look each time. Love the centerpiece with the succulents tucked in with the evergreens. I like the bright and cheerful dinnerware and the hats to boot! The black flatware is perfect with the dishes. You were very cretive with the use of all the candies and serving dishes. These three tables you’ve shown must have been a lot of work for you considering you are still healing from the shoulder surgery. Thumbs up on all of them!!

I love the lime green napkins with the Christmas red tablecloth. The hats are a perfect touch for your theme table. The plates couldn’t be better. You have thought of everything. Love your centerpiece. Enjoy that great sounding food!

I want to wish you a great Christmas. Things are starting to pick up around here so I am not going to be on the computer. Please don’t overdo after your surgery.

Thanks for the visit. Yes, it takes ages to put all the ornaments on my tree and yes, I have to use a ladder. Merry Christmas, Bonnie

You know what? I not even like this combo 😉 but I can’t stop grinning and going through the pictures and enjoy it more and more. My heart dances…
Such is your gift, Dear Friend! Christmas can be Happy and Joyfull it shouts 😀
I don’t like it and I love the all. Because you didn’t create a table I like but you create just the perfect feeling and ambience… yes, must be it ;)… that’s my story ahahahah
Happy and Blessed Season, Sweet Friend!
Teresa

The only thing I can’t forgive you is that now I’m craving sweets as a toddler after trick or treat and it’s eleven PM here! Bah… Love You Dear Heart!

I am loving all this color and how different and cool is this!! Once upon a time I had a daughter-in-law that used to make lots of yummy Mexican food for us at Christmas. This would have been the perfect setting for it. Bennington is holding it down and he should get a raise!!!

Alycia, can you just slice me off a portion of your creative cell.. and mail it to me.. lol…..I just need a small portion. You are truly blessed. You never cease to amaze me with your designs.. each one steps higher than the next.. Your use of color, flowers, themes all just comes together for one fantastic design.. all in all …..YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

What a pleasant surprise to see this spectacular table of a Mexican Christmas theme!..…a welcome change I say…you made me smile with every picture…especially with those “multi-color jingly thingys” .. the gorgeous shiny christmas ornaments of many colors just fit so perfectly with your theme…That is one spicy hot Christmas table!!!..

Wow, Alycia! Such detail and awesome mix if texture and color! Perfect and unexpected for the holidays! And you take the ornaments away and it’s a year-round table!! You sure have given us options and ideas! Awesome to have you back (if only for a while).

Ole! This would be wonderful any time of the year! So glad to be back in blog world and glad to see you up and running, too. Love the fiesta plates…great look. How did I miss those? Merry Christmas! Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

Beautiful… and very colorful! It looks like Christmas in San Antonio! The mix of greens and succulents is amazing and really work so well together! And your placement of those darling Mexican hats with the serape dinnerware is over-the-top… literally! You have set a warm, inviting and very spicy Christmas table! One that certainly stands out from the parade of Christmas tables this time of year!

Where to begin? I love this! The color scheme is so vibrant and festive. Your tree is adorable – love the shape. The dishes are so versatile and I love how you tied them into a Christmas theme! The sombreros caught my eye immediately and how fun that you decorated them with ornaments!! What i really enjoyed seeing is the ribbons tied to the tea cart – very clever! Hope you have a wonderful holiday 🙂

Hi Alycia, You have been busy and no, I never tire of what you do! Color always wins out here too, I love color. I did do a white tree and used a lot of white and silver this year but we still have the traditional big tree and colors. I especially love all those satin ribbons on your tea cart.
Blessings dear girl………Christmas is almost upon us.

I saw this table earlier this week on my phone – have no way to comment on my phone. Those lime green vases were certainly a wise purchase, as they go with so many things! I never would have guessed they’d look so great with your Mexican theme. It totally works! Your fun colors are at it again, and I’d never get tired of those fun jingle bell thingies. They instantly make you happy and say “party”! The detail work on the flatware is gorgeous and looks fabulous on the lime green napkins. Adding the succulents in the centerpiece was a smart move – so Southwestern and wonderful with the lime green in the room. The plates and Mexican hats are perfect, as well. It’s all lovely and fun!! 🙂

Oh wow, Alycia, this table is so colorful, festive and fun. I love the centerpiece with the succulents and also how you decorated the hats. Bennington is the perfect butler, isn’t he? Even your food is colorful. You don’t miss a trick. Like I’ve always said, I wish I could be a guest at your table… I love Mexican food!!!! xo

Alycia, I loved all three tables but this one just speaks to me! I am so with you – give me Mexican food several times a week – my comfort and holiday food too. We love to make tamales at this time of year but any time of year. Your addition of the succulents is brilliant and so dramatic! Wish I was there for your fabulous fiesta!